Coin controlled apparatus



Amm $21, 1%;

T. W. B. WATLING maw@ COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed Oct. 17, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l Alm my A3@ T. WA B. WATLING COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed oct. 17. 1954 4 sheets-sheet 2 COIN CQNTROLLED APPARATUS Filed om. 17, 1954 4 sheets-sheet 3 pri 2L 936 T. Wl 13l WATUNG 2,038,969

COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS v Filed Oct. 17, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES ooIN coNTRoLLED APPARATUS Thomas W. B. Watling, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Watling Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application october 17, 1934, serial No. 748,593

4 Claims.

This invention relates to coin controlled mechanisms provided with a coin chute through which the` coins, tokens, or slugs travel edgewise.

Usually,.in devices of this class, an inserted token is arrested in a predetermined operative position vin the chute to cooperate with suitable means for disabling a latch which controls the vending or other operating mechanism.

In coin chutes, the guideway is proportioned to permit the passage of a coin or token of the denomination for which the machine is constructed. 'I'he cross sectional area of the guideway is only sufficient to permit clearance of a coin of proper dimensions. If, therefore, as frequently 1.'. occurs, a bent coin is inserted into the chute or two or more thin coins overlap in the guideway, the chute becomes clogged and the machine is rendered inoperative Yuntil the chute is cleared.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a coin controlled mechanism having improved means for releasing and ejecting any coins or tokens which might become wedged in the coin chute; to provide improved releasing means of this kind which will be automatically actuated 2'5 upon each operation of the operating mechanism; and to provide improved separating means for separating the solid coins or tokens from the apertured tokens as they leave the chute.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevation showing the improved coin chute and part of the operating mechanism; the casing of the machine being omitted.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the hinged gate supported at the lower end of the chute.

Figure 3 is a side elevation taken from the right of Figure 1 and showing also a portion of the machine casing.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary front elevation of the coin chute with the front hinged gate removed, Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line`5--5 of Figure 1.

1.' Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation showa ing part of the operating mechanism and the selector or separator, certain parts being broken away for the sake of clearness.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the deflector in an adjusting position.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the coin deflector which forms a part of the separating mechanism.

- Figure 9 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the coin chute and rotary conveyor.

(C1. l1944i?) Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective of the uppermost hinged gate and its actuator.

Figure l1 is a transverse section taken on the line I I--I I of Figure 9.

. In the construction shown in the drawings, the 5 invention is applied to one type of vending machine` but it is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to a large number of other types of coin controlled machines. The drawings illustrate only those portions of the 10 vending machine which Will be of assistance in describing the improvement. l

In the form sho-wn, the machine comprises a casing I in which is mounted a frame 2 which supports the coin chute and also certain parts of l5 the operating mechanism.

The coin chute herein shown comprises an arcuate neck portion 3 which directs the slugs or coins 4 to a display portion 5 in which the coins are fed intermittently through a circular path for 20 display purposes by means of a conveyer wheel 6 similar to that shown in my copending application Serial No. '735,935 led July 19, 1934.

The neck 3 of the chute comprises a channel member I to which a face plate 8 is secured by 25 screws 9 or other suitable fastening means. The upper end of the neck has the usual inlet I0 alined with an annular cup` I I of the front wall through which the coins are inserted.

Near the inlet Ill, the channel member 'I has 30 an opening I2 in which is located a hinged gate I3 having lugs I4 pivoted on a hinge pin I5 supported in lugs I6 on the rear face of the channel l. The gate is normally held closed by a coin spring I I embracing the hinge pin. The purpose of the 35 hinged gate is to permit the ejection of any bent coins or slugs which may become lodged in the neck adjacent the inlet.

Formed on the hinged gate I3, is a. lug I8 carrying a set screw I9 adapted to engage the rear face of the channel member 'l for limiting the forward movement of the gate under the action of the spring I'I.

'Ihe gate I3 is automatically opened upon each 45 operation of the operating mechanism. For this purpose, the'gate has an arm 20 carrying a roller 2| which bears on a cam 22 formed on the upper end of a vertically reciprocable bar 23 to which is pivotally connected a link 24 by means of a 50 pin 25. The link 24 is part of the operating mechanism and is depressed upon the slightest movement of the operating crank or handle so as to open the gate I3 for releasing any coin which might be jammed inthe chute adjacent the inlet. 55

The bar 23 has slots 26 for receiving pins 21 mounted on the frame.

The coins which are ejected Vthrough the hinged gate, may be delivered to the top of the casing by means of a suitable return chute (not shown).

Formed on the lower end of the channel member 1, is an extension 28 forming the rear plate of a return chute 29, and another extension 30 forming the rear plate of a guideway 3| for directingthe coins to the conveyer Vin the display zone. Iron slugs are deected into the return chute by means of a magnet 32. This return chute and guideway have a front'plate or gate 33 in common. This gate has ears 34 hinged to a pin 35 supported in lugs 36r formed on the plate 8. Embracing the pin 35 is aspring 31 having its ends bearing against the plate 8 and gate 33 for normally holding the gate in closed. position. Formed on the rear face of the gate 33, are ribsx38 and 39 forming the lower inclined edges of the return chute `29 and guideway 3|, respectively.

A curved nose 4|) formed on the gate 33 serves to' directthe coins into the path of the conveyer.

Formed on the front face of the gate 33 is a pair ofv lugs-4| supporting a hinge pin 42 on which is hinged a deflector' 43 having a pair of arms 44 and 45 and a counter weight 46. On the outer end of the arm-44 is a cam 41 adapted to normally extend 'into theY coin path so as to be Yshifted outwardly byv a coin in the so-called operative position.

On the outer end of the arm 45 is an inclined shoulder v48 adapted to be projected into the coin path for stopping a subsequently inserted coin whichis `therebycaused to roll into the return chute 29 if a previously'inserted coin is still in the operative position. The counter-weight normally holdsthe deiiector in the position shown in full lines in Fig; 3.

Depending from the gate 33 is an arm 49 having a camV portion 50 adapted to engage a lug 5| on the link'24 for automatically opening the gate 33 upon each operation of the operating mechanism. When the gatev 33 is opened, any coins lor slugs which may have been jammed in the lower part of'the chute will be released.

4In the form shown, the display portion 5 of the chute comprises concentric plates 52 and '53 secured to a rear supporting plate 54 by screws 55 and 56; respectively. The concentric plates 52 and v53 are spaced-from the plane of the rear plate 54 by a spacer disk 51 and an annular flange 58, respectively, so as to provide an annular guideway 59 through which the coins or slugs are moved by'conveyer. The plate52 is of greater diameter than the spacer r51l and the plate 53 overhangsthe inner edge' of thev flange 58 so as to form the front wall ofthe. guideway 59. The llange `58 is preferably integral with the plate 54.

I'he plane of the guideway 59 is oiiset from the plane of -theneck portion 3 of the chute, and the coins .are directed into the plane of the guideway by the curved nose 49 of the hinged gate 33. Adjacent the deflector nose 40, the spacer 51 is notched as'shown at 60 to permit the coins to enter the guideway where they engage the conveyer.

`The rst position in the guideway 59 which the-coinoccupies is the so-called operating positior'r because in this'position thecoin cooperates with a-'plunger 6| carried on "the upper 'end of a latchlbar'62 which controls the operating mechanisrn," as hereinafter' described.

' The plunger: 6I/is slidaloleV in a bearingv 63 formed. on a' bracket- 164 which isfsecured to the rear face of the plate 54 by screws 65. Supported in this bracket is a hub B6 which extends through the plates 52 and 54 and spacer 51. This hub has a flange 61 for rotatably supporting the conveyer 6 and a flange 68 which spaces the body of the conveyer from the rear plate 54. A washer 69 is interposed between the conveyer and the bracket 64.

When there is no coin in the first station or operating position, and an attempt ismade to operate the machine, the plunger 6| moves forwardly through notches in the rear and front plates, for locking the machine. From an examination of Figures 1 and 4, it will be seen that the latch plunger 6| is positioned so as to engage each coin near the edge thereof so that both solid coins and apertured slugs or tokens may release the latch of the operating mechanism, as is well understood.

In the second station of the display zone, the solid coins coact with a plunger 10 carried on the upper end of a lever 1| which is pivotally secured to the frame 2 by a pin 12. The lower end of the lever 1| has a roller 13 co-acting with a member 14 of the vending rnechanismyasisv well understood in the art, so that, when a solid coin is present in the second station ofthe chute, the operator may obtain a stick of gum, piece of candy or the like from the vending magazine, not shown. The roller 13 is held in contact with the member 14 by a1spring'15 connected to the frame 2 and lever 1|. 'Inasmuch asthe spec'iiic form of vending machine forms no part of 'this invention, further details thereof have'. .been omitted. The pin or plunger'10 is positioned centrally of the coin or slug, and, therefore, if vthere is an apertured slug or token in the second-station, the plunger 19 will pass through such token without operating the vending mechanism.

`In order to permit the plungers 6| and *.10 to enter the guideway 59 without interfering with the operation of the conveyer, these'plungers are positioned below the path of the conveyer. For this reason, the inner'edge of the annular flange 58 is cut away adjacent the plungers 6| 'and' 10,' as shown at 16, so as to support the coins at the proper level for coaction with the plungers. As shown in Figure 4, Ythe coins ride up an inclined runway 11 when leaving the recess 16. In order to permit inspection of all of the coins in the display Zone, a window (not shown) is placed in the front wall of the casing directly in front 'of the annular guideway 59.

In the form shown, the conveyer wheel 6 comprises a metal stamping having radially disposed arms 13 provided with forwardly extending ngers f19 which project through the guideWayS59 for engagement withfthe coins. 'I'he fingers 19 are disposed centrally of the guideway so as Ito engage the rims of the coins at substantiallyvthe center thereof, except when the coin is locatedin the recess 16. This conveyer moves all ofthe coins in the display zone one step upon each operation of the machine.

The conveyer is intermittently actuated by the operating bar 23 which is connected to the-link 24 of. the operating mechanism. Formed on" the bar 23, is an arm 8|) having a pivot pin 8| which supports a detent 82 which is adapted to be carried downwardly into engagement with an arm 'i8 of the conveyer wheel for rotating the conveyer one step. The detent is normally held against a stop A83 on the arrn`80 by means ofa spring 84 which permits the detent to pivot-on the upstroke of the bar A23. A stopl on' the plate 54 limits the down strokeof the detent.

In order to prevent reverse movementof the conveyer wheel and also for the purpose of properly positioning the conveyer after each operation, the conveyer has circumferential pockets 86 coacting with a pawl 81 which is pivotally secured to the plate 54 by a pin 88. A spring 89 holds the pawl 81 inV yielding engagement with the conveyer.

Formed in the front face of the plate 54, is a vertical channel 90 into which each coin is ejected after it is conveyed through the annular guideway 59. Extending into the guideway 59 adjacent the channel 99, are two oppositely disposed projections 9| and 92 which are adapted to dis'- engage each coin from the conveyer to permit the coin to drop into the channel 99. The4 projection 9| is formed on the disk 51 adjacent the notch 60 and the oppositely disposed projection 92 is formed on the plate 54.

lEach coin which drops into the channel 90 is adapted to be detained at the lower end of. the channel by a lug 93 on one end of a retractable bar 94 to permit selection by a selector pin 95 which is carried on the upper end of a lever 96 pivotally mounted on the pin 12. The pin is slidable in a boss 91 on the rear face of the plate 54 and is adapted to be projected forwardly through an aperture in said plate so as to enter the channel 99 upon each operation of the device. The purpose of this selector pin is to separate the solid coins from the apertured slugs or tokens.

The bar 94 has longitudinally extending slots 98 for receiving pins 99 mounted on the front face of the plate 54 to permit the lug 93 to move into and out of its operative position. The bar 94 is yieldingly held in its operative position, as shown in Figures l and 4, by a spring |00 connected at one end to the bar and at its other end to a pin |0| on the plate 54. When it is desired that all coins should drop through the lower end of the channel 99 without selection, the bar 94 is retracted by disconnecting the spring |99 from the pin |0|.

On the end of the bar 94 is an arm |02 having a lug |03 projecting rearwardly through an opening |04 in the plate 54 for engagement with a bell crank |95 which is pivotally secured to the plate 54 by a pin |96. One arm of the bell crank is held in the path of. the teeth or arms of the conveyer 6 by means of a spring |91 connected to the bracket 64. Movement of the bell crank under the action of the spring |91 is limited by a stop |08 mounted on the plate 54. With this construction, upon each movement of the conveyer, the bell crank |05 retracts the bar 94 for moving the lug 93 away from the channel 90 so as to permit a slug or token to drop through the lower end of the channel.

'I'he channel 99 has a front plate |09 secured thereto by screws I9. Formed in this front plate adjacent the lower end thereof, is an opening I through which the solid coins may be ejected by the plunger 95. Adjacent the opening is a hinged gate ||2 secured to the plate |09 by a pin I3 and which is yieldingly urged by a spring |4 into position to prevent the coin from accidentally falling through the opening The gate ||2, however, yields under the action of the plunger 95.

Located below the channel 90 are three receiving magazines |5, |6 and |1. 'Ihe magazine |5 is located in alinement with the channel 90 so that, in the absence of any deflecting means, all

coins and tokens falling from the channel 90 would drop directly into the magazine l 5.

However, it is desirable to separate thesolid coins from the apertured tokens by directing them into separate magazines. This is accomplished by a deflector member ||9 which is hinged on a pin 9 supported inlugs |29 on the plate |09.

The deflector comprises a pair of side1plates |2|, a front plate |22, rear plate |23 and intermediate plate |24 dening a hopper having an outlet opening |25. A spring |26 is connected to the deector and to one of the lugs |29 for Anormally urging the kdeiiector to the innermost position, shown in full outline in Fig. 6, so as to position the upper edge of the rear plate |23 within a recess |21 formed in the plate 54.

When the deflector occupies the full line position shown in Fig. 6, apertured coins which fall through the channel 99 will be deflected into the magazine ||1 by the rear plate |23. Solid coins, which are ejected by the plunger 95, will pass between the plates |22 and |24 and drop into the maga-zine ||5.

However, it may be desirable to direct apertured coins into the magazine l5 and solid coins into the magazine I1. This is accomplished by shifting the deector to the dotted line position of Fig. 6, which is the position shown in Fig. 7. In this position, the apertured coins falling from the channel 99 drop directly into the magazine I5 without being touched by the deflector. The solid coins which are ejected by the plunger 95 pass between the plates |22 and |24 which direct them into the forward magazine I1. A ledge |28 on the forward upper edge of the magazine ||1 prevents the coins from accidentally jumping over the magazine. In the position of the deiiector shown in Fig. '7, no coins will pass between the deflector plates |23 and |24.

The deector is held in the adjusted position, shown in Fig. '1, by an arm |29 which is pivotally secured to a lug |30 on the deflector by means of a. pin I3 The free end of the arm |29 is adapted to bear against the plate 54, as shown in Fig. 7, for holding the delector against the action of the spring |29.

Formed in one of the side plates |2| of the deector, is a pair of apertures |32 and |33 for come jammed between the plates |22 and |24. l

To prevent this, the upper edge of the plate |22 has a rearwardly projecting part |35 which serves to turn the coins so as to cause them to drop edgewise.

Located above the magazine ||5 is a reciprocable pusher |36 mounted on the lever 96. When the magazine ||5 is filled, the pusher |36 pushes subsequent coins from the top of the stack into the intermediate magazine H6.

In the form shown, the operating mechanism comprises a bell crank lever |31 pivotally secured to the frame 2 by a pin |38. On the bell crank |31 is a pivoted finger |39 which carries va roller |40 adapted to actuate part of the mechanism (not shown). A spring |4| connected to the bell crank |31 and frame 2 normally holds the bill crank in its retracted position against a stop Formed on the lever |31 is a full stroke ratchet |43 adapted to cooperate witha pivoted, spring frame 2 by a pin:|52.

helddog |44 `on theframey 2 to compel.- a complete shift ofthe lever before itreturns to. normal posit-ion. Mounted on the forward end 'of the lever |31 is a pin '|45 adapted to cooperate with actuating means'which may be similarto that shown'in. the patent of Burns S. Watling, .-No. 1,990,719, issued'v February 12, 1935.

, Pivotally secured to a pin |46 on the bel1:cra`nk |31 is aspring-pressed dog `|41 having a` shoulder |148 adapted to engage the lower end of'the lever 96 for shifting'the selector pin l95 forwardly upon theup-stroke of. the bell crankzlever'rfl31.

=Mounted Aonthe lever 31 is apin lli49extending through aslot 50'in the linkA `24. VA Yspring is connected to the pin |49 andlink 24 for holding :theV link in the position 'shown-:in Figure 6.

The` operating mechanism is normally locked lby the latch bar |52` which is pivotally secured to`the Formed in the rear-edge ofitheflatch--bar 62 is a notch |53 for receiving a lug |54 onthe `bell crank |31 to prevent a complete stroke of the bell crank whenV the -latch has not vbeen disabled by a proper coin. The latch bar is normally urged toward its locking position by aspring'rl55, connected to the lower' end ofi-the'lever 96. 'f This spring also serves to retract' the selector pin'V 95 when theV lever :|31 is depressed.

`Formed on the inner edge of the latch bar 62 is a camportion '|56 adapted to coactwith the lug fI-54f-or holding the latch retracted; as shown in Figure 6, when the lever 31 is moved to its starting position. The construction is such that the latch permits a limited movement Aof-thelever |31. without the` use of a coin, i e., the lever |31 may move until the lug |54 rides into .the notch |53. To permit a complete stroke ofithe lever |31 the latchrmust be'retained inJits-retracted position against the. action of the -spring |55. This1isaccomplished by the engagement of the plunger 6| with a coin in the first station of the display chute.

In operation, a `coin which is insertedfthrough the-inlet drops through the channel 1 and is deflected by the deectors 39 andi 4|) into the operating position or rst station of the annular display guideway 59. In'the rst station Vof the guideway, the coin is positioned directly opposite the pin or plunger 5|. yIf there is no coin of proper size in the first station ofthe display zoneyandan attempt is'made to actuate the bell crank 131,:the lug |54 rides intothe notch |53 andthe spring |55 rocks the latch bar 'E 2V thereby shifting the forwarding end of the plunger 6| throughthe path of the coins. However, -if a coin of .proper size is arrested in' the rst station ofthe display zone, it will stop the plunger 6| so as to prevent the latch bar 62 from being shiftedfinto the `path of the 1ug-|`54, and the operative stroke of the lever |31-may then be completed.

Upon the down stroke of the elever |31 the link 24 is depressed so as to move the detent 82 down- Wardly for rotating the conveyer 6 one stepv in the direction ofthe arrow shown in Figure 9 or clockwise v`asshown in Figure 1. -When the conveyer. is rotated one step, the coin opposite the latch control pin 6| is advanced to the second stationwhich is directly opposite the vending :pin J0. If an apertured token or slug is positioned in the second station, when the vending pinJO movesforwa'rdly itv will merely pass-through.- the aperturefin :the v;token and: will. not ,actuate the vending mechanism. Howevenif a solidcon is positioned opposite. the vending pin 10, it-Will stop .the forwardv movement of the vending pin sofasto cause' the operation of the vending mechanismnotzshown.

Upon the next step of the conveyer 6, the coin or token is advanced from the vending position and rides up the incline 11.

Upon every operation of the bell crank |31,the link 24 is depressed, which opens the gate 'I3 through theA cam 22 which engages the roller 2| and the gate '33 is also opened through the lug 5| which engages the cam 50. When the gates |3 and 33 are automatically opened upon each operation "of the machine, any coins which may have become jammed in the chute will be ejected from the gui'deway.

4Whenv ithe-foremost coin in the' conveyer 6 reaches' the projections 9| and 92, itis deflected laterallyand rolls into the channel. Where it comes to rest on the lug 93 of the bar94. On the up-stroke of the Ybell crank lever |31, the shoulder |48 off the dog |41 strikes against the' lower end of the lever 96 and projects the selector pin forwardly through the channel 9|). is avsolid coin at the bottom of the channel, the forwardly moving selector pin 95 Will strike such coin and will eject the coin from the channel.` If, however, an apertured token is resting at the bottom ofthe channel 90, the forwardly 5 movingselector pin `95 will merely pass through the aperture in the token and such token will drop through the lower open end of the channel 90 when the bar 94 is retracted through the operation ofthe bell crank |05.

The coins and apertured tokens ejected from the channel 90 Will be separated and directed into the proper receiving magazines by the improved deflector H8 as hereinbefore described.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that details of the construction shown may be altered without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

. l. A device ofthe class described comprising coin-controlled operating mechanism, a coin chuter having an inlet and an outlet, releasable means for arresting an inserted coin in operating position ,between said inlet and outlet, said chute having an vauxiliary outlet inone side `thereof between said inlet and said arresting means to permit thel release of coins which maybe jammed prior to reaching operating position, a movable gate normallyclosing said auxiliary outlet, means foropening-said gate, a coin-return chute, Vand a deector hinged on said gate and-controlled by an arrested coin in operating position, said deflector having a part movable into said rst mentionedchute to stop a subsequently inserted coin and to direct the same into Vsaid `return chute.

2. A device 'of the class described comprising coin-,controlled operating mechanism, a coin chute'having an inlet and an outlet, releasable means for arresting an inserted coin in operating position between said inlet and outlet, said chute havingranauxiliary outlet in one side thereof between-saidJ inlet and said arresting means to permitfthe release Vof coins which may be .jammed prior f to reaching operating position, a1.. movable gate-normallyclosing said .auxiliary outlet, a coin return chute, aldeflectorhingedon. said gate and If there l controlled by an arrested coin in operating position, said deflector having a part movable into said rst mentioned chute to stop a subsequently inserted coin and to direct the same into said return chute, and means actuated by said operating mechanism for opening said gate.

3. A device of the class described comprising coin controlled operating mechanism, a coin chute having a display zone, a conveyer for moving the inserted coins through said display zone, said chute having an auxiliary outlet located adjacent its inlet end and a second auxiliary outlet located adjacent said display Zone to permit the y release of coins which may be jammed prior to reaching said conveyer, a pair of gates hinged on said chute for controlling said auxiliary outlets, and means actuated by said operating mechanism for opening said gates upon each operation of said mechanism.

4. A device of the class described comprising a coin controlled operating mechanism having a reciprocable bar, a coin chute having a displar zone, a conveyer for moving the inserted coins through said display zone, said chute having an auxiliary outlet located adjacent its inlet end and a second auxiliary outlet located adjacent said display zone to permit the release of coins which may be jammed prior to reaching said conveyer, a pair of separate gates hinged on said chute for controlling said auxiliary outlets, springs normally closing said gates, and cams on said bar for opening said gates upon each operation of said mechanism.

THOMAS W. B. WATLING. 

